Arron Banks latest: Scotland Yard urged to probe whether top Leave donor had links to Russia in referendum

Arron Banks
PA
Kate Proctor11 June 2018
WEST END FINAL

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Scotland Yard was today urged to investigate Brexit donor Arron Banks to ensure “foreign money” was not funnelled into the EU referendum.

The multi-millionaire businessman is facing questions after meeting with the Russian ambassador to the UK three times, rather than once as he originally claimed, and discussing a deal involving six goldmines in Russia.

The Bristol-based businessman denies links to the Kremlin, ever receiving Russian money or assistance for the Leave.EU campaign, or investing in the Russian goldmines.

Mr Banks gave £9 million to Leave.EU, making him one of the most significant political donors in British history.

Labour MP Stephen Kinnock said his links to Russia must be investigated thoroughly by the police.

The MP for Aberavon said: “When you’re looking at the Russian agenda and you’re looking at the connections between Russia and our politics on some of the most important issues of our time — we just need to be absolutely clear that there isn’t foreign money. The electoral law is clear, you cannot receive donations from foreign sources and if that is the case we need to look into that.”

Mr Banks is already subject to an investigation by the Electoral Commission on whether finance rules were breached in relation to donations at the 2016 EU referendum.

Mr Banks says he passed on details of the Russian meetings to officials at the US embassy in London.

He was pictured with Donald Trump and Nigel Farage outside a gilded elevator soon after Trump’s 2016 presidential election victory.

Lord Lawson, the chair of Vote Leave, said today he doubted Russia influenced the referendum outcome.

The former Chancellor said: “I don’t think anybody voted for Brexit because they were being hoodwinked on anything by Putin.”

The Electoral Commission say it does not comment on ongoing investigations.

Mr Banks is set to appear before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee in Parliament tomorrow to give evidence to its inquiry into fake news.

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